Pam Grier - May 26, is her birthday. I’ve been watching some of her movies that are a part of my collection. I watched the entire series the L word and The Miami Vice movie that introduced her in a recurring role as Tubbs love interest and undercover cop from NYC. The first Pam Grier film that I saw was Coffy when I was 12 at the Circle theater which no longer exist. There was something about seeing Pam Grier on that large screen that made me fall for her instantly. From that point on every film, magazine article, or television show she would appear on, I was there if I could.
Pam Grier had made many B movies before her breakout role in Coffy.
Because the majority of Miss Grier’s earlier work was R rated, I couldn’t always get in to see the films. But I did see Foxy Brown and Scream Blacula Scream on the big screen.
In 1978, Pam Grier was in New Orleans filming Drum. It was a picture about slavery, and Pam Grier starred opposite Ken Norton and Warren Oats. I had thought about skipping school one day to get a glimpse of Miss Grier. It was my senior year and in fear that I would get into trouble I opted against the idea. That December I turned 18 and when the film played at the Lowes, which is now the State Palace Theatre, my dad took me to see the film. It was the first time I had seen Pam Grier get killed on screen. That was a bit traumatic.
I hope one day to meet her face to face. Until then I just watch her films. There are still a few films I’d like to add to my collection. Greased Lightening, that she appeared in opposite Richard Pryor and Something Wicked This Way Comes, (I have it on VHS, but I want to get it on DVD) the Disney film which made her the first black actress to appear in a leading Role.
So I continue the Pam Grier film festival for the month of May with such films as, Arena, Sheba Baby, Friday Foster, Bucktown, Black Mama, White Mama and Foxy Brown along with many others ending with the classic film that for me remains timeless; Coffy.
Coming up: Returning to NOLA, Road Home, Keeping on track, Can I take a trip?
Thanks for stopping by, Open Your Mind. Relax, enjoy and believe.
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